Canstruction 2013 Hits New York City

The 21th Annual Canstruction NYC Competition was held in New York City October 21 to November 8, 2013 boasted very creative art pieces made entirely from unopened cans of food. These creative exhibitions were on display in the heart of the downtown New York City district at 285 Park Ave Lobby, Grace Building Lobby and One Liberty Plaza Lobby and were quite an eye-full of ingenuity and a creative expression of art for a worthy cause. At the end of the exhibition the pieces will be dismantled and donated to City Harvest for distribution to those in need. Canstruction admission is free but the public are encouraged to donate a can of food on their visit and the organizers had their eyes set on beating last years record of 91,000 pounds of food.

I had the opportunity of viewing this year's exhibitions as well as the winner of last years competition while on a visit to Manhattan. Even though I didn't have my professional Nikon camera with me I still managed to get a few decent photos of the amazing pieces on show with my Nexus 4 mobile phone. Here are the photos I took of this year Canstruction pieces, enjoy!

Below are photos of last year winning piece.

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Jamaica 50

Fireworks at the Jamaica 50 Grand Gala celebrations at the National Stadium

Yesterday Jamaica had the grand finale of the fiftieth year of independence from colonial rule, yes fifty years of being a sovereign nation. The country has certainly come a long way since that faithful day on August 6, 1962. However, it has a very long way to go before this nation can be the success that independence was supposed to bring.

Indeed, this country and its populous has undergone hardship, our successive leaders have failed miserably and our precious resources have been squandered due to the greed of those in power. Nevertheless, this tiny country is known by the entire world as it produces many reasons for us to be proud. Such a small and poor island has produced many icons like the king of Reggae music, Bob Marley, and the king of the tracks, dubbed the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt just to name a few.

We have made it so far through many hardships but we still have even a longer way to go to achieve the full potential of a talented nation and a beautiful country. Despite all the pitfalls the black, green and gold still stands after fifty years.

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Digital Jam 2.0 Launched

Attendees at Digital Jam 2.0

I was invited to the press launch of Digital Jam 2.0 which was held on Tuesday May 8, 2012 at the Office of the Prime Minister. Digital Jam 2.0 is an initiative of the Jamaican government, the World Bank and several private sector companies to promote employment in the virtual economy of Jamaica. The letter I received with the invitation explains a bit more about what Digital Jam 2.0:


"ABOUT DIGITAL JAM 2.0:


The Government of Jamaica, in collaboration with The World Bank, Jamaican private sector companies and international development partners, will stage Digital Jam 2.0 – “The Future of Work is Online”, a programme of activities that will include a 24hr Sports Hackathon, Mobile Apps Contest, apps development workshops, Tech Camps, Seminars and a Market place and Job Fair. It will culminate in Kingston, June 28-30, 2012 at the Jamaica Conference Centre.


The mission of this pivotal programme is to promote youth employment in the virtual economy in Jamaica, by showcasing their talent and big ideas; introducing them to trends, training and success stories and connecting them to jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. 


In helping to take Jamaica a step further and in alignment with Jamaica’s technology trajectory, Digital Jam 2.0 will focus our youth on the world’s transition to technology related industries and opportunities. The event represents an initial step of a broader strategy to facilitate youth employment in the virtual global economy."

Ede Jorge ljjász Vásquez Director for Sustainable Development Latin America & Caribbean Region World Bank

Several persons from the media, as well as representatives from the private sector sponsors of the initiative, were in attendance at the Digital Jam 2.0 launch. The audience was addressed by Giorgio Valentini World Bank Representative to Jamaica, Ede Jorge ijjász Vásquez and Fabio Pittaluga also of the World Bank, Michelle English President and COO of Flow Jamaica and Columbus Business Solutions, Hon. Lisa Hanna Minister of Youth & Culture and a local participant Matthew Budram.

Hon Lisa Hanna Minister of Youth & Culture

This is a very good step by the stakeholders involved as technology is definitely one of the ways forward in building a stronger economy. We do have a lot of talented youths in our country, but they are being stifled by the lack of opportunity to help their ideas and skills flourish. Hopefully Digital Jam 2.0 will make the needed impact on the economy by providing the employment it promises for our young technologically savvy and showcase the creativity and ingenuity of  our Jamaican people.

As usual, being a photographer I cannot help but to walk with my camera and take a few photos. I have uploaded an album of the photos I took of the launch of Digital Jam 2.0 to my facebook page. You may take a look at my coverage by clicking here.

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Blue Balloons for Autism

Blue ballons being released by the audience at Emancipation Park

Autism is a disorder of the neural development that manifests itself through impaired social interaction and communication as well as restrictive and repetitive behaviour. It is estimated that this disorder affects 1 in 88 children world wide. Autism no doubt robs a child of living a normal life and deprives them the opportunity to achieve their full potential in life. The effects of this condition also translates to the parents and caregivers who have to take special care in to attend to the needs of those affected by Autism. The plight of the persons affected by this condition and the emotional and financial strains of those family members who have to care for them. But how can the general public be sensitized bout Autism?

Autism Awareness banner at Emancipation Park

April has been selected as Autism Awareness Month with the purpose of sensitizing people worldwide about this condition that affects so many children and adults worldwide. The Jamaica Autism Support Association along with help from the Digicel Jamaica Foundation launched Autism Awareness Month on Sunday April 1, 2012 at the Emancipation Park with a ballon release ceremony. The ceremony featured a Prayer for Autism by Sarah Newland-Martin, a special poem for Autism written by a staff member of Digicel, musical entertainment by a drumming band comprising of Autistic children from Genesis Academy as well as songs from children of Promise Learning Centre, who are also affected my Autism. The ceremony culminated with the grand finale, the release of blue ballons that were handed out to the audience during the ceremony as well as balloons in the colours of our national flag. However, those who attended were not limited to only blue balloons as Dekal Wireless provided blue bulbs in support of Autism Awareness Month. I was there with my camera and took a few photos of the event to share with you all.

Child getting her face painted with pictures of blue balloons

Drumming being done by Autistic children from the Genesis Academy

Blue balloons being handed out to the audience by Digicel Jamaica Foundation volunteer Jodi Henry

A group of Autistic children from the Promise Learning Centre

A child in the audience receiving her balloon

Nicole Rochester reading Sarah Newland-Martin prayer for Autism

Kathy Chang Cofounder of Jamaica Autism Support Association

Christy Almeida member of the Jamaica Autism Support Association

Prof. Maureen Samms-Vaughn of the UHWI , Patron of JASA

Byron James Digicel employee reciting his poem for Autism

Samantha Cantrelle Executive Director of the Digicel Jamaica Foundation 

A member of the choir from the Promise Learning Centre signing during the song presentation

Member of the Audience enjoying the performance 

Audience member with blue balloons

A child with his blue balloon

Blue balloons being released by the crowd

Green, black and gold balloons being released

Another musical presentation from children of Promise Learning Centre

Audience member and her child at the ceremony

Blue light bulbs in support of Autism Awareness Month provided by Dekal Wireless

This ceremony was just the beginning of Autism Awareness month, as several buildings across the world, including Jamaica were lit in blue on April 2, 2012 in support of World Autism Awareness Day. Some of the local buildings and areas that were lit in blue included Emancipation Park, UWI Chapel, AZMART, Phillip Sherlock Centre UWI, the Digicel electronic message board as well as several homes across the island. There will aslo be other activities geared towards sensitizing the Jamaican public about Autism in a continued effort to gain support for those affected by Autism. Hopefully, this will result in an increase in the awareness as well as support for those who are directly and indirectly affected by this condition. For more information about Autism and how you can help you may contact the Jamaica Autism Support Association.

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